The Hit islands stretch from Tarabisha in Ramadi all the way to Zawyat Elbunemr, Harariyat and Tel Aswad, down to IS’ last and most prominent stronghold in al-Bikr neighborhood, which is on the eastern side of the river, opposite from the center of Hit.
Following the liberation of Tarabisha, IS’ last stronghold in Ramadi, the Anbar Operations Command announced the relaunch of the operations for the Hit islands, in conjunction with the 10th Division and tribal fighters Oct. 7. These units managed to reach Zawyat Elbunemr.
A special Iraqi military unit created to liberate islands and the eastern side of the river, together with tribal fighters, resorted to the element of surprise by crossing by boat from Hit to the other bank at al-Bikr. On Oct. 11, Hit was declared to be completely liberated.
Ramadi consists of the areas of Bo’aitha and al-Bufiraj, which were previously liberated as part of the battle to liberate Ramadi, almost a year ago. The area also includes al-Buziab, al-Buali, al-Jasem, al-Buassaf and Tarabisha on the eastern side of the river.
In conjunction with the successful operations to liberate Sharqat, new military operations were launched Sept. 20 to recapture the islands stretching from Ramadi all to the way up to Haditha, 240 kilometers (150 miles) northwest of Baghdad.
The Anbar Operations Command, led by Maj. Gen. Ismail Mahlawi, in addition to battalions 38, 39, 40, 41 of the Iraqi army’s 10th Division, also took part in the battle to liberate Ramadi. On Oct. 4, it was announced that Tarabisha had been liberated; this was followed by the liberation of the entire area around it the next day.
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